What are the best practices for resolving conflicts with Supply Chain teams?

1 Understand their perspective

Before you approach a Supply Chain team with a problem or a request, try to understand their perspective and constraints. What are their goals, priorities, and challenges? How do they measure their performance and success? What are the trade-offs and risks they face? By empathizing with their situation, you can communicate more respectfully and constructively, and avoid blaming or accusing them of being unreasonable or incompetent.

2 Define the problem clearly

One of the main causes of conflict is a lack of clarity and alignment on the problem definition. When you present a problem to a Supply Chain team, make sure you have the facts, data, and evidence to support your claim. Avoid vague or emotional statements that can be interpreted differently or trigger defensiveness. Instead, use specific and objective language that describes the problem, its impact, and its root causes. For example, instead of saying "You are always late with the shipments", say "The last three shipments were delayed by an average of five days, which resulted in lost sales and customer complaints".

4 Agree on actions and follow-ups

Once you have reached a consensus on a solution, make sure you document the agreement and the action plan. Specify who will do what, when, and how, and what are the expected outcomes and indicators of success. Establish a clear and realistic timeline and budget, and agree on how you will communicate and monitor the progress and results. Follow up regularly and provide feedback and recognition to the Supply Chain team for their efforts and achievements.

5 Learn from the experience

Finally, use every conflict as an opportunity to learn and improve your relationship with the Supply Chain team. Reflect on what worked well and what didn't, and identify the lessons and best practices that you can apply in the future. Share your insights and suggestions with the Supply Chain team, and ask for their feedback and recommendations as well. Celebrate your successes and appreciate your differences, and strive to build trust and mutual respect.